Just crushed one of the most terrifying bosses in Elden Ring Nightreign, and I'm still buzzing from the adrenaline! After taking down Tricephalos (Gladius, Beast of Night), I decided to tackle Adel, the Gaping Jaw next. Let me tell you - this massive flying monstrosity with its horizontal head and serrated teeth is the stuff of nightmares! 🦖 Despite its horrifying appearance, it's actually one of the more manageable creatures in the DLC if you know what you're doing.

Adel's Terrifying Moveset

Phase 1 Attacks

Alright, so let's break down what you're up against in the first phase:

  • Roar: Nothing too scary here - just knocks you back without dealing damage

  • Head Slam: Watch for when Adel jerks its head left to right before slamming it down

  • Vomit: This doesn't happen often, but when it does, avoid the poisonous goop!

  • Jaw Dash: Super common - it opens that terrifying mouth and charges straight at you

  • Targeted Attack: If you see a red dot on you, prepare to dodge multiple jumps coming your way

  • Grab: THIS is the one to watch for! You'll notice electricity on the edges of its mouth - this will absolutely wreck you with massive damage and blood loss if it connects

i-conquered-adel-the-gaping-jaw-in-elden-ring-nightreign-my-epic-battle-strategy-image-0

Phase 2 Attacks

Things get wild in phase 2:

  • Transition: The arena electrifies with purple energy - run far away and dodge the lightning strikes

  • Electricity Effect: All phase 1 attacks return but now with added electricity and ground-based AOE lines

  • Jumping Strike: Adel launches into the air and slams down with incredible force, creating line AOEs from the impact point

My Winning Strategy

Despite being considered one of the "easier" fights in Nightreign (which isn't saying much in 2025's most punishing DLC), Adel still requires serious focus. Here's how I finally conquered this beast:

  1. Watch for the grab! This is absolutely crucial. When Adel lifts its head skyward, immediately back away and strafe. The hitbox is deceptively large - even brushing against its jaw counts as a hit.

  2. Phase 1 positioning: I found staying near but not directly under Adel worked best. This gives you enough time to react to head movements while still landing hits.

  3. Phase transition preparation: As soon as the purple electricity starts appearing, sprint away as far as possible. I got caught in this twice before learning my lesson!

  4. Phase 2 defense: Stop blocking and focus on rolling! The electricity will chip through your shield, making dodging essential.

  5. Watch the ground: Those line AOEs in phase 2 will absolutely destroy your health bar if you're not paying attention.

People Also Ask

Q: Is Adel required to beat Elden Ring Nightreign?

A: Yes! After defeating Tricephalos, you need to defeat four more bosses before facing the final boss, and Adel is one of those options.

Q: What's the best build for fighting Adel?

A: I had success with a high mobility build with lightning resistance. Since Adel uses electricity in phase 2, anything that buffs your resistance helps tremendously.

Q: How long does the Adel fight typically take?

A: Within your 45-minute Nightreign run, expect to spend about 5-7 minutes on this fight if you're reasonably prepared.

I have to say, despite the frustration of getting chomped multiple times (those teeth, ugh!), there's something incredibly satisfying about finally taking down such a uniquely designed monster. The way FromSoftware has crafted this horrific dinosaur-like creature with its horizontal maw is both disturbing and brilliant.

As I continue my Nightreign journey in 2025, I can't help but wonder: are these creatures manifestations of our deepest fears, or do they represent something more profound within the Elden Ring lore? The electrical nature of Adel's attacks seems connected to something greater in the narrative that I'm still piecing together. Perhaps the other bosses will reveal more connections? What do you think these monstrosities symbolize in the greater context of the Lands Between? 🤔

EldenRing #Nightreign #GamingTips #BossGuide #AdelsJaw